Football in Ballarat

The Western Bulldogs have committed to play two to three AFL matches every year in Ballarat from 2017 on the delivery of an AFL standard Mars Stadium.

The newly-developed Mars Stadium hosted the Ballarat's first ever AFL game for premiership points in Round 22, 2017 - when the Western Bulldogs hosted Port Adelaide.

The Victorian Government has announced $31.5 million to upgrade the Ballarat Major Events Precinct in 2014 – including $15 million for Mars Stadium to support the achievement of this aim.

Building on this commitment to upgrade Mars Stadium – the State Government and the Club has entered into a five-year major partnership with the Bulldogs to support the Club in to bring football to the region and also suite of the Bulldog’s community programs.

This unique and exciting partnership will form the foundation for the Western Bulldogs to deliver on the commitment to build an enduring relationship with the Ballarat community and beyond.

Under the partnership, the Bulldogs will wear Ballarat-branded shorts in 2016 and will also roll out community initiatives such as the Club’s men’s health program, Sons of the West and youth leadership initiative, the Whitten Project.

Making the partnership not just great news for footy fans – but also good for Western Victoria’s economy and community well-being.